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What the papers say

Last Updated: December 23 2012, 8:33 GMT

A look at the stories making the back-page headlines in today's national newspapers.

Ronaldo: Heading back to Old Trafford?

THE SUN SUNDAY: Cristiano Ronaldo wants to rejoin Manchester United next summer. Also: It's a cracker! Manchester City are not quite top of the tree but Gareth Barry's injury-time goal kept them in the race...Harry Redknapp has blasted QPR's overpaid flops.

SUNDAY PEOPLE: Harry Redknapp last night launched a blistering attack on his QPR players and accused them of "being paid well above their ability". Also: Alan Pardew will not pocket a massive pay day if he is axed despite signing a whopping eight-year deal at Newcastle...Eoin Morgan squared the Twenty20 series with India by smashing a sensational six off the last ball.

SUNDAY MIRROR: Daniel Sturridge's £15million move to Liverpool is back on - after a shock clause he wanted written into his contract threatened to kill the deal. Also: Harry Redknapp launched an astonishing attack on QPR's "overpaid and average" players after his first defeat as Hoops boss...Eoin Morgan smashed a six off the last ball as England won the second Twenty20 international against India by six wickets.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to unleash a £150million strike force on the Premier League in the new year. Also: Harry Redknapp last night attacked QPR's lavish spending on "average" players...Colin Montgomerie could be in line for a sensational return as Ryder Cup skipper.

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Italian giants AC Milan claim they are lining up a £20million bid to sign striker Mario Balotelli in next month's transfer window - against the wishes of Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini. Also: Harry Redknapp last night launched a blistering attack on some of the players he inherited from his predecessor at Queens Park Rangers, Mark Hughes.

OBSERVER: Manchester City left it late to reduce the gap at the top of the Premier League to three points, but Gareth Barry's controversial stoppage-time winner put the pressure back on Manchester United to pick up three points at Swansea today or have their advantage cut in the title race. Also: Steve McClaren has opened the door to the possibility of working for the Football Association again in the future by revealing that he would like to take up a role "coaching the coaches" in England when his managerial career is over.

INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: It was the reactions that were so telling. Gareth Barry sprinted across the pitch, punched the corner flag and slid on his knees through the rain and the mud. At the final whistle Reading's players slumped to the sodden turf as if they had lost a cup final, which in a sense they had. Also: Shola Ameobi's decisive late goal for Newcastle came as a welcome relief for their manager, Alan Pardew, but prompted an extraordinary outburst from his opposite number, Harry Redknapp, against some of his own players' ability and integrity.

SUNDAY TIMES: Manchester City are planning a radical restructure of a player recruitment policy that has seen their wage bill rise above £200m and threaten the club's ability to comply with Uefa's Financial Fair Play. Also: They may have become used to an after-hours knees-up here- not least that final kick of last season - but not many expected the star turn to be provided by Gareth Barry.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain flew to Brazil last week for talks to sign Neymar. Also: Arsenal found themselves at the centre of a second penalty controversy in three matches yesterday as Wigan manager Roberto Martinez claimed that Theo Walcott had "bought" a spot-kick, when the striker went to ground under the most minimal contact to set up Mikel Arteta's match-winning goal...Harry Redknapp last night vowed to sell Jose Bosingwa for refusing to be a substitute and claimed many of his Queens Park Rangers squad were earning unjustifiably high wages.